Monumental in scale and daring in concept, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge became an icon shared by both sides of the Missouri River. Selected by Travel+Leisure Magazine as one of the World's Most Spectacular Pedestrian Bridges and honored with the American Public Works Association's Project of the Year Award, it is a marvel of engineering and design. Its twin 203-foot pylons provide its anchor, 80 steel cables support its deck, and the main span's curvilinear S-shape reflects the grace and power of the river below. At 2,300 feet in length, it ranks among the nation's longest pedestrian bridges, and its illuminated pylons, cables, and decking make it especially striking at night. The bridge resulted from the combined efforts of Council Bluffs and Omaha, along with foundations from Iowa and Nebraska, both states, and the federal government. That cooperation continues as pedestrians move seamlessly between events, recreational facilities, entertainment venues, and employment hubs, with more than 100 miles of trails on both sides of the river now connected. It also came to embody a Midwest can-do attitude when, in 2004, construction bids greatly exceeded funding and the joint Bridge Design Team saved the project by developing an innovative multistate design-build approach. Several proposals eventually came in within budget, one was selected, and construction moved forward. On September 28, 2008, Mayors Tom Hanafan and Mike Fahey presided over the opening celebration, announcing that the bridge connected two strong communities and two great states with a monument both practical and artistic, and one that would be a source of identity and pride for generations.